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II.C.281

From Li & Liao (2017)

II.C.281 is a periodic orbit of the planar three-body problem: three equal masses that return to their starting positions and velocities every 173.3 time units, published by Li & Liao (2017). The largest class in the atlas: hundreds of II.C orbits for seven mass ratios. It is weakly unstable (largest Floquet multiplier 1.115), so a small nudge makes it unravel over a few periods. The bodies pass within 0.00000286 of each other at a top speed of 591, line up 332 times a period, and the computed loop closes to 7.3×10⁻²⁰.

Measured over one period

Period: 173.2986495
Masses: 1 : 1 : 1
Energy: -1.97802
Angular momentum: 0
Closest approach: 2.9×10⁻⁶
Top speed: 591.0
Path length: 475.42
Alignments per period: 332
Stability: weakly unstable (|λ|max 1.115)
Loop closure: 7.3×10⁻²⁰

Neighbours on the map

All II.C orbits, the families of periodic three-body orbits, or the atlas map.